The Missing Compiler/Unit Test for Feelings

As technical people we become fascinated early on by thenumeroustools out there that make our jobs easier. A compiler or syntax checker is almost an afterthought these days: of course you would want some guidance on whether your code was in compliance with the language before running it. Unit tests are the same way; if I can run something and get a good answer on whether it is OK before I put it in a shared environment, then that will save me tons of time.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a similar tool for how people feel about you. A technical person can fall into the trap of looking at more technical-oriented clues to how people feel, but these often fall short:

Team

Natural Alignment

Natural Misalignment

Development

Faster Delivery of features

Have to be engaged in operations, more “work” to do

Operations

Less fires, more consistency

Have to learn a new skillset and be a beginner

Security

More consistency, compliance

Automation can cause unknown vulnerabilities

Business

Faster ROI for development, lower cost for operations, and a scale model that works

Takes ongoing investment in culture and tools

The first step in keeping this kind of thing from happening to you is to care about people. Put them before yourself. Follow the golden rule. Don’t be an asshole. The second step is to understand and embrace the true value in what people think about you when you’re not there. You can’t control this part, you can only influence it. If they think you’re an idiot or an asshole, work to show them that you have their best interests in mind and that you’re growing. Are you including them when we are solving problems, so they own it and won’t blame you in disgust if something goes wrong?

That approach is fraught with difficulty, especially for someone with a technical background. There is no compiler for it. There is no unit test. There isn’t even a clear answer on how people exactly feel about you. The only thing you can do is care about it and try to influence it positively. In technology, caring about this is so uncommon that it ends up going a long way.